9 Best Cafes in Florence, Italy
Looking for high-quality or specialty coffee in Florence? Here are the best cafes in Florence, Italy.
Florence might be famous for its Renaissance art, Chianti wine, and gelato that borders on religious experience, but its coffee scene is undergoing a quiet little renaissance of its own.
Between the centuries-old institutions where tuxedoed baristas still pull perfectly crema-crowned shots, and the rising wave of third-wave specialty coffee shops serving pour-overs and flat whites with Scandinavian cool, there’s never been a better time to sip your way through the city.
In Italy, the lines between cafés and bars blur. You drink your morning espresso at the bar (literally, standing), and then return later in the day for an Aperol spritz. But in Florence, a growing number of specialty cafés are inviting you to slow down, sit awhile, and fall in love with coffee all over again—without rushing to down it in two seconds flat.
This guide covers both worlds: the stylish new-school specialty coffee cafés where single-origin beans and frothy oat lattes reign, and the grand old institutions where the atmosphere is steeped in history (and the pastries are just as important as the espresso).
Whether you’re a specialty coffee nerd or simply looking for a beautiful spot to caffeinate between museum visits, these are the best cafes in Florence, Italy, right now.
Speciality Coffee in Florence and Italy
While Italy will always be the land of the espresso shot at the bar, a new wave of specialty coffee is quietly brewing—and Florence has joined the conversation.
Over the past few years, sleek third-wave cafes have popped up around the city, bringing pour-overs, single-origin beans, and oat milk cappuccinos to a crowd that includes international travelers, exchange students, digital nomads, and a growing number of younger Italians who know their way around a Chemex.
These cafes aren’t trying to replace the beloved Italian bar—they’re carving out a new space entirely. They blend contemporary design with a slower, more curated coffee experience: think latte art, Scandi-style interiors, and baristas who want to talk to you about the roast profile of your Ethiopian filter.
This guide leans into those modern specialty coffee shops, perfect for slow mornings, laptop afternoons, or anyone in need of a proper flat white. But I’ve also included a few of Florence’s more traditional institutions—places where the coffee may be simple, but the history and ambiance are rich enough to make you want to grab just an average cup of joe.
Florence also happens to be home to two local specialty coffee roasters: Gearbox Coffee Roasters and D612 Coffee Roasters.
Gearbox, founded by Tommaso Bongini, blends a passion for coffee with a love for cars, offering high-quality, exclusive coffees that reflect both tradition and innovation.
D612, established by Lucian Trapanese, is a small, independent roastery dedicated to sourcing and roasting high-quality beans, promoting excellence in coffee with a focus on sustainability and freshness.
Neither coffee roaster has their own café in Florence, but they supply beans to some of the specialty spots mentioned below. You can find their expertly roasted blends featured on rotating menus or behind the counter.
Best Cafes in Florence, Italy
Best Specialty Coffee Shops in Florence
Ditta Artigianale
Ditta Artigianale is Florence’s specialty coffee pioneer, founded in 2013 by champion barista Francesco Sanapo. With multiple locations across the city, each offers a unique experience.
The original café on Via dei Neri, just steps from the Uffizi, is a cozy spot with a low-slung counter designed to bring you eye-to-eye with the baristas. Here, you can enjoy espresso, pour-overs, and a selection of traditional Italian pastries alongside international brunch options; however, be warned, it does get extremely busy.
Across the Arno in the Oltrarno district, the Via dello Sprone location is housed in a beautifully restored 12th-century chapel. This flagship store features a stunning main hall with high ceilings and original architectural details, creating an airy and inspiring atmosphere that’s my personal favorite.
The café offers a full menu, including brunch dishes and gin cocktails, making it a versatile spot for any time of day.
While both locations serve fantastic coffee, with three espresso choices, including single origin, the Sprone café stands out for its unique setting, design, and atmosphere.
Café SimBIOsi
Just a short stroll from the bustling Mercato Centrale, Café SimBIOsi offers a refreshing take on Florence’s coffee scene. This cozy café, part of the SimBIOsi family known for its organic pizzeria and pasta bar, has carved out a niche for itself with a focus on organic, locally sourced ingredients and a commitment to quality.
At the heart of SimBIOsi’s coffee offerings is D612, a Florence-based micro-roaster renowned for its transparent sourcing and meticulous roasting processes. Their beans bring a distinctive character to SimBIOsi’s menu, where you’ll be able to sample a taste of specialty coffee that stands apart from traditional Italian espresso.
The café itself exudes a bohemian charm, which I loved, with vintage furnishings, exposed stone walls, and an inviting atmosphere that makes you just want to stay a while. I came back here twice on a recent trip, enjoying a V60 pour-over and a classic cappuccino. The combination of expertly brewed coffee and the café’s warm ambiance makes this spot easily one of the best cafes in Florence.
For anyone seeking a genuine taste of Florence’s evolving coffee culture, a visit to Café SimBIOsi is well worth the detour.
Cafe degli Artigiani
Tucked into the quiet charm of Piazza della Passera, Caffè degli Artigiani is the kind of cafe that feels like it’s always been there—and that’s because it has. Casual yet effortlessly cool, this tiny café is one of Oltrarno’s best-kept not-so-secrets. You can tell it’s a local favorite the moment you arrive: neighbors chatting over their morning espresso and the baristas greeting regulars by name.
I dropped in on a slow afternoon and ordered a caffè—strong, syrupy, and just the right kind of indulgent under the Tuscan sun. Sitting outside in the little piazza, it was all low-key perfection: kids playing, scooters buzzing past, and the kind of easy rhythm that makes you want to cancel the rest of your day.
It’s a no-frills kind of place, but that’s exactly the charm. The walls are lined with memories, the menu is handwritten, and the vibe is unmistakably Florentine. In the evening, it transforms into a stellar aperitivo spot. Grab a spritz, claim a table outside, and watch as the piazza hums to life.
Coffee Mantra
Just around the corner from the Church of Saint Ambrose, Coffee Mantra offers a refreshing take on Florence’s specialty coffee scene. This cozy café, established in 2018 by Giovanni Benini and his wife Laura, has become a favorite among locals and travelers seeking a quality brew.
They source their beans from Gearbox Coffee Roasters, the second of the local roasteries known for its innovative and experimental approaches to coffee. The café offers a variety of brewing methods, including espresso, V60, AeroPress, and cold brew, catering to both traditionalists and those seeking a more nuanced cup.
The atmosphere is laid-back and inviting, with a minimalist interior that encourages patrons to relax and savor their coffee. Stop by to sip a single-origin espresso or a meticulously prepared pour-over; whichever you choose, Coffee Mantra provides a space where coffee is both celebrated and enjoyed.
Coffee Mantra is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience Florence’s evolving coffee culture. It’s a place where there’s more innovation than tradition, but that’s kinda the point.
Melaleuca Bakery + Bistrot
In the Santa Croce neighborhood, Melaleuca Bakery is a delightful fusion of Australian-American brunch culture and Florentine charm. Melaleuca brings a fresh, international flair to Florence’s coffee landscape, and it’s one of the best cafes in Florence for coffee with something to eat.
The café’s interior is bright and airy, featuring warm beige tones and a minimalist design that creates a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a place where locals and travelers alike gather to enjoy a menu filled with international specialties, from avocado toast with kale pesto to Turkish eggs on homemade laffa bread.
Coffee enthusiasts will appreciate Melaleuca’s commitment to quality brews, offering a range of options including flat whites and oat milk lattes. Their pastries, particularly the cinnamon rolls and carrot cake, have garnered a loyal following, and I have to admit they were both undeniably good.
While Melaleuca doesn’t take reservations, the experience is well worth the wait, otherwise make sure to head over early.
Wild Buns Bakery
Wild Buns Bakery brings a dose of Nordic charm to Florence’s Oltrarno. Founded by Estonian baker Robert Marrandi, this cozy, minimalist spot is all about handmade pastries and small-batch baking done right.
The stars of the show? Pillowy cinnamon and cardamom buns, sourdough sandwiches, and dark Estonian rye made with a family starter. Coffee’s no afterthought either—expect well-pulled espresso, oat milk lattes, and the occasional matcha. It’s small, soulful, and a perfect stop when you’re craving something a little different, off the beaten path in Florence.
Manly – The Office
Step inside Manly – The Office and you’ll forget, momentarily, that you’re in Florence at all. This San Frediano hideout channels breezy Australian café culture with mustard-yellow cushions, bamboo accents, and a mural that nods to its namesake beach suburb down under. It’s not trying to be your typical Italian bar—and that’s exactly the point.
Owner Maykol Martino brought his barista know-how back from Australia and teamed up with local roaster D612 to create L’Australiano, a house espresso blend that’s all smooth chocolate, hazelnut, and subtle red berry notes. It anchors a menu built for lazy brunches: think smashed avo, bagels, and seriously good carrot cake.
Manly isn’t just a morning thing, either. As the sun dips, it shifts into an easygoing aperitivo spot—one where you can swap your flat white for a spritz without missing a beat. Less tradition, more sunshine-in-a-cup.
Best Traditional Cafes in Florence
Caffe Gilli
Caffè Gilli stands as a living proof of Florence’s enduring elegance. Established in 1733 by the Swiss Gilli family as La Bottega dei Pani Dolci, this venerable café began as a pastry shop near the Duomo.
Over the centuries, it evolved into a cultural hub, relocating to Piazza della Repubblica in the early 20th century, where it continues to enchant patrons with its Belle Époque charm.
Stepping into Gilli is like entering a bygone era. The interior boasts original wood paneling, stucco work, and Murano chandeliers, creating an atmosphere of refined opulence. The café’s history is rich with artistic and intellectual patronage, having been a favored meeting place for figures like Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and Ardengo Soffici during the Futurist movement.
Today, Gilli continues to serve as a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. Its outdoor terrace offers a prime location for people-watching in the bustling piazza, while the interior provides a serene setting to savor expertly crafted espresso and exquisite pastries.
However, this isn’t a place for specialty coffee- the coffee is good in the traditional Italian sense, and so are the cakes and snacks – it’s a spot for the quintessential Florentine experience.
Caffe Paszkowski
If Caffè Gilli is Florence’s elegant grande dame, then Caffè Paszkowski is her more theatrical, bohemian cousin—the one who’s always up for a late-night piano set and a Negroni or two.
Situated in Piazza della Repubblica, this historic café has been a cornerstone of Florentine culture since its transformation into a Viennese-style beer hall in 1903 by the Polish Paszkowski family.
The interior retains its early 20th-century charm, with elegant furnishings and a grand piano that hosts live music performances, maintaining the tradition of the “Caffè Concerto.”
Whether you’re enjoying a morning espresso, indulging in a pastry, or sipping a cocktail as the evening unfolds, Caffè Paszkowski offers a timeless experience that captures the essence of Florence’s enduring traditional café culture.
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